For a minute let’s forget about Kanye, and J Cole dropping new albums. Let’s even forget about the Jay Z new album bombshell that the UK woke up to on Monday Morning. Let’s look at something that is prehaps a little more relevant to us. Monday saw the release of the sophomore album from much acclaimed DJ and Producer Eric Lau. Its been a good 5 years since Eric released his first album “New Territories”. Since then he’s performed DJ sets around the world, made new fans & friends, produced for artists and possibly most importantly he has grown. This album shows just that his growth. His formula of Hip hop beats alongside soulful warm melodic chords and vocals is still intact, but its been enhanced, taking his music to another level.
Longtime collaborators Tawiah and Rahel are on board for the bulk of the vocal work but there’s also appearances from Oddisee and Fatima. For me though Rahel steals show. There is something heavenly about her tones that combines so beautifully with Mr Lau’s production.
The progression shown here is immense and I feel he has proven himself as a heavyweight producer and beatmaker in his genre that everyone should be taking note of both sides of the atlantic. A soundtrack to perfection… Prehaps you decide you can stream the album on Okay Player here or you can take my word for it and get downloading album here

Last week Obenewa launched her new EP “B” @ Wired. This video will give you an idea of what she is bringing to the table. The performance is flawless and she is trying new things that will continue to set her apart from so many other female singer songwriters out there. I’ll let the visuals do the talking. Superb work can’t wait for this EP to drop!

Is that how Basement Jaxx are going on though???? Sharlene Hector (Vula too) has been singing with them for time now but not only have they brought Kele Le Roc back into the fold they have also got Shakka in on the act tooo!!! The results if this visual to go by are crazy ridiculous. I have no idea what the track is called but Shakka takes lead with Kele and Sharlene accompanying him. The vocal combo is quality and its sounding like a great song too. Am sure a fully produced version is on the way which I have no doubt will see a successful return for the Basement Jaxx boys. As for Shakka the sky is clearly limit. Onwards and upwards!

More new music from Cynikal and its pretty noice! Cynikal teams up with Kaleem Taylor to drop a track called “Beautiful”. Premiered by CJ Beatz on his 1Xtra show earlier in the week this song is perfect for the summer (Clearly not a British Summer) with its classic Hip Hop feel (the track features a Nas Sample) and the gorgeous Strings courtesy of Adaggio and Kaleem Taylors Vocal is the icing on the cake to quote the missus “lush”! The lyric video works a treat too.
Cynikal will be throwing it down at the Isle of Wight Festival this weekend and then catch him at our show for The Rivington Street Festival on Sunday June 23rd. More new music to come from Cynikal later this summer… can’t wait!!!

New visuals from Rapper Producer Lifelines with his track “Smile”. Tune has a dope summer feel to it through its beat, production and Lifelines flow over the beat in general you can’t not bop your head to it. The video compliment the tune nicely too, isn’t it nice to see peeps on London’s streets smiling for a change!
The “One Faith” EP is free and available to download here check it out.

What a 2013 for Shakka. Dropping the first single from his new EP “Sooner or Later”. Following that with a feature on the Lead single from Wretch 32 Sophomore Album. Then onto rocking major stages and TV shows with Wretch and Basement Jaxx!!! What better time to drop the 2nd single from his forthcoming EP “Tribe”. This is Spin as always with Shakks lots of energy, innovative production and singalong vocal lines. You can’t not love it. The Tribe Ep launch is July 5th at the Tabernacle a show that you really will not want to miss as this stars light continues to shine brighter and brighter!

DOPENESS!!! Its that simple. One of the sickest EP’s I can remember hearing for a very long time from both sides of the atlantic. Emmavie is a 22 year old singer, songwriter and producer from North London and “L+VEHATER” is her first project and she has produced recorded and performed every track on the EP. She blurs the lines between Soul Hip Hop and R&B Brilliantly, the concept behind the EP is just awesome and as a result we are left with an absolute BANGER of an EP! If you haven’t already you need to get into this EP and get to know about this lady.

Second video from Joel Culpepper’s much acclaimed EP “Skydive”. “Heaven” is one of the standout tracks from the EP synth heavy and falsetto tones the track is smooth and perfect for a spring/summer cruise with the top down! Joel is definitely on the rise with the video being premiered through OKPlayer and features recorded with SBTV. Future is looking very bright. Get your hands on the EP if you haven’t already.

One of my favourite singers of the last few years Natalie Williams is back. Having spent the last few years singing live all over the globe she is now in the process of putting together what is sounding like a very special new album. The EPK explains all and gives you a taster of what to expect when it drops later this year. Her voice is flawless as always and the sound is so noice!!!

Nat is reaching out for support to help get this album out. If you are feeling it click this link and have a read and make a pledge for a worthy cause… quality music!

This is DOPE!!! The 14th are back with a fresh new mashup of two Garage classics. Tracey’s vocals as always are haunting and full of quality. The guys have more new music on the way and will be supporting Bonobob on tour next week. With the current resurgence of Garage sounds these guys are someone you’ll be seeing a lot more get to know!